The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-25
CAPTAIN KINNEY'S, CAPTAIN OF THE
BALD KNOBBERS,
In it was enclosed a buckshot.

In 1t was enclosed buckshot.
When the services began the Cogburn
boys came in in their shirt sleeves, unarmed,
and when the convention debated on the
prevailing lawlessness the boys were bolster
GUS In their mirth
Capt. Kinney announced that the man who
wrote the letter would need coffin first if he
attempted to interfere with the proceedings
of the Sunday School Convention. When
the meeting was called to order in the after
noon every man was armed with two re-
volvels and shotgun, and there was an
armed neutrality.
From this time on Capt. Kinney and
the Cogburn boys were ON the alert, each
fearing the other would take undue ad-
vantage
This state of affairs continued until March,
1856, when one OF the Cogburns lay in wait
near CHURCH which Capt Kinney attend
ed. He was seen by a young man, who at
once notified Kinney, who armed himself
and proceeded to the church. AS he neared
the building he noticed man sxullxing and
ordered him to throw up his hands. The
man threw up one,r but with the other
attempted to draw his revolver. As he
did this Capt. Kinney fired, killing him in
stantly.
Immediately acquitted on the grounds of
justifiable homicide.
VENDETTA.
War was now declared to the knife, and
each organization swore to destroy the other.
The lawless element flocked to the militia
organization and were told that its object
was to stop night riding, annihilate the Bald
Knobbers and avenge the death of Cogburn
and the Taylor boys. This was to be done
by killing off the prominent ones, and if this
did not have the desired effect to drive the
rest out of the county.
The terror caused by the Bald Knobbers
was increased by the mysterious manner in
which their executions were carried out and
by the absolute secrecy of their intentions.
1t was an unequal fight, and soon the evil
doors and outlaws were compelled to give up
and peace and contentment came to the
county where so many bloody scenes had
been enacted.
This in brief is the history of the organiza-
ton of the band, and could the history stop
here it would be praised for the good it has
done.
But there is a sequel
GROWTH OF THE BALB KNoBBERS.
The leaders of the Bald Knobbers were
human, and when they realized what an i'm
mense power they welded through the Sc
crecy and mysteriousness of their actions
began to perfect the organization while they
members were admitted and subordinate
branches were formed until it extended its
dictatorial sway throughout the Ozark re-
gions.
Conceived for the welfare of the law
abiding citizens of the community it gradu-
ally widened its powers. The silent, oath
bound company assumed control of the
affairs of the county from the selection of
officers to the midnight castigation of those
ynS1A no 70 fhaS ah hot hyrfs acf
ing fly for the speckled trout in the stream
which passed the door.
Extending its ramifications through the
entire region to the Arkansas line, growing
in power and waxing fearless from the ter
ror which its very name spread over the
county, it assumed still higher powers and
passed the death sentence on those who dared
to disobey its orders.
Executions followed. Those who came
under its ban were taken from their homes
in the silent watches of the night and pun
ished either by death or by well laid lashes
on the bare back.
REIGN OF TERROR.
A reign of terror began, and aid was
asked that the country might be rid of the
horrible incubus which had fastened upon
its vitals
Lying far away from telegraph and rail-
read lines, the outside world knew little of
the trouble and only occasional rumors had
reached the newspapers of the actions of a
band that was supposed to be composed of
rough outlaws. But the cry for assistance
was too earnest to be ignored, and the law,
which was invoked, began an investiga-
ton which ended in the arrest of $50 men
and boys, who have been indicted by the
grand juries of fancy and Christian coun-
ties.
And who are these who have taken the
law in their own hands,
They are the moral, wealthy and respect
able people of the community. Ministers of
the gospel of love were members. Judges
of the courts who Swore to execute
the laws were members High officers of
the county and prosperous citizens were
members.
Here was a remarkable anomaly.
1t was fanaticism run riot.
The intelligent and moral citizens became
lawbreakers and preyed on the lower
classes.
That the law will be indicated and that
after the usual delay the offenders will pay
the penalty of their crimes, is foregone con-
clusion.
The prosecuting attorney, in an interview
with the correspondent of the Herald says:
1.-THE plea of the Bald Knobbers is the same
that is always made to justify mob law.
Their claims of innocence are not based on
freedom from crime, but on the idea that
they had equal power with the government
to punish criminals The crimes for which
they are indicted can easily be proven, and
their defense will not hold in any court. 1t
is simply case where it is question
whether constitutional law or mob law shall
rule. There is no doubt that the Bald Knob
bers have done great good in Kidding the
country of outlaws, but the trouble is they
did not stop there When there were no
more outlaws to punish they began wreak.
ing their personal malice on those who had
offended. not the laws of morality, but the
Individual members of the organization.
Had they left the courts of justice to con-
tnue the good work which they began, and
abided by their first oath, all would have
been well--the law would have been well
executed and we would have had as fine
community as is in the State OF Missouri.
But they could not stand the accession
of almost unlimited power, and the con-
sequence is that pains and penalties await
them"
A Multitude of Ailments.